Ithilien - From Ashes to the Frozen Land (2013)^{Release ID: 65306}

Getting back into the epic folk metal zone that I was in 10 years before this review when I was into the more melodic metal genres, while still taking on the heavier modern metalcore, has made me quite curious about what those two genres would be like mixed together. We already have Equilibrium doing that with their later material, but before that was the modernized folk stylings of Ithilien...

Named after a region in Gondor from The Lord of the Rings, this Belgian band released their debut From Ashes to the Frozen Land in 2013. Celtic-infused folk metal is blended with modern melodeath similarly to Eluveitie, albeit with some Scandinavian viking/black metal elements.

The intro "Battle Cry" is a nice gentle start. When Celtic bagpipes come in, it sounds like something out of the Braveheart soundtrack, at the same time fooling some listeners into thinking is the beginning of a new Dragonland album. Punching through is "Unleashed", unleashing some Nordic melodeath power, sounding blackened in the vocals and blast-beats. Getting a little calmer while staying heavy, "Rebirth" is more mid-paced with beautiful leads. It doesn't beat the previous track which I prefer coming back to more.

A long-ish interlude "Sealed Destiny" comes in, and as good as it is, I feel like it would be better if it wasn't placed so early. Maybe it wouldn't be so odd if placed after these two 6+ minute epics coming up next. The first of which, "Through Wind and Snow", is a grand example of folk-fueled melodeath alternating between fast and slow, with similar vibes to bands like Kalmah, Swallow the Sun, Mercenary, and Hope for the Dying. Also will those crickets stop chirping at the end?! It's not boring at all! Again shining with speed is the other epic, "Reckless Child". No problems there! "Drinkin' Song" I also enjoy for its upbeat fun. I'm glad to not let seriousness get the best of me.

"Mother of the Night" is another fast standout. But then comes the repetitive "Stare Into the Deep". It's a rather hollow mess of things. "Everlasting Dawn" makes up for it as the most blackened gem here. Love that one! "A World Undone" ends up being a waste of 5 minutes. If they took that sh*t out and moved that earlier interlude up to track 6, I would've given this album an extra half-star. "Northern Light" ends the album as another bagpipe instrumental, this one as long as that second interlude.

With their debut From Ashes to the Frozen Land, Ithilien has the potential to expand the boundaries of epic folk/melodeath. However, as talented as the band members are, a few songs lack some strength. Still it's for anyone up for this kind of blend, and there's more of that in their next album, when they add some metalcore to their cauldron....

Favorites: "Unleashed", "Through Wind and Snow", "Reckless Child", "Drinkin' Song", "Mother of the Night", "Everlasting Dawn"